President Maithripala Sirisena arrived in New York to the attend 72nd General Assembly of the United Nations (UN), a short while ago.

President Sirisena, who left Colombo for New York yesterday morning, reached the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York this morning (Sep. 18), according to his media division.

The representatives of the Sri Lankan Ambassador’s Office in New York warmly welcomed President Sirisena and Mrs. Jayanthi Sirisena at the hotel where the President will stay during the visit.

The 72nd Regular Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 72) convened at UN Headquarters on September 12. The General Debate will open on Tuesday, 19 September 2017, with a focus on the theme, ‘Focusing on People: Striving for Peace and a Decent Life for All on a Sustainable Planet’.

The President is due to address the General Assembly in the evening of Tuesday (September 19), it will be the third time that he is addressing the UN General Assembly.

The President will also brief the world leaders regarding the consensual politics in Sri Lanka as well as regarding the reconciliation and peace, and the initiatives taken by the government after declaring the year 2017 as the Year for Poverty Alleviation and also regarding the programme for the concept of Green Development.

The President is also scheduled to hold bilateral discussions with several world leaders participating in the sessions.

The President will join the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), a high level discussion on political reforms.

During his visit to the US, President Sirisena will participate in a series of programmes including a meeting with the Sri Lankan Community.